Planet Money Summer School
NPR
Economics is a game you should know how to play. And once you get the fundamental concepts, you start to see it everywhere: the news, the supermarket and even your dating life. So it's time to learn the rules. Planet Money Summer School is a crash course in economics for your ears. See the world through the lens of an economist and you'll start to feel a little less overwhelmed when making financial decisions. And if you're in front of the classroom? Teachers, this is made for you, too. Let us be your breezy and fun companion to assigned readings. We'll even assign the homework (and spare you the groans). Go beyond summer school and stay up-to-date on the economy with the latest episodes of the Planet Money podcast.Got money on your mind? Try Planet Money+ — a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. A subscription also gets you access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 27, 2025 • 31min
Govt 8: Graduation LIVE!
Celebrate the end of a vibrant summer school with a mock graduation full of quizzes and audience engagement! Discover the challenges of collecting accurate government statistics in a humorous twist. Listen as a representative from the New York Federal Reserve shares insights on economic signals and the importance of public participation. Delve into Argentina's surprising industrial policies and Uganda's social media tax. Finally, enjoy the comedic ceremony featuring valedictorian Yale Zhang, complete with a fun rhyming poem!
Aug 20, 2025 • 39min
Govt 7: Trade blocks and blockages (Trade Policy)
Carolyn Freund, Dean at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy, shares her expertise on trade barriers and protectionism. She explores how tariffs and regulations can unintentionally raise prices for everyday goods like candy and cars. Discussions reveal the complexities of the sugar industry and how protecting American producers can hurt manufacturers. Freund also highlights the challenges posed by differing automotive safety standards between the U.S. and Europe, emphasizing the cultural influences on trade policy.
Aug 13, 2025 • 36min
Govt 6: When the markets need fixing (Market Design)
Alex Tadelboim, a market design expert from the University of Oxford, dives into the fascinating world of economics. He explains how markets operate, illustrating their importance with everyday examples. Tadelboim discusses market failures and the vital role of government in correcting inefficiencies. Engaging anecdotes from Alaska's fishing derbies showcase resilience amidst danger. He also explores concepts like transferable quotas and double auctions, shedding light on how these can optimize resource management and reduce inefficiencies in various markets.
Aug 6, 2025 • 36min
Govt 5: The many ways governments influence industry (Industrial Policy)
Juan Ricard-Uguet, a political science professor at Loyola University, Maryland, dives into the intricate relationship between government and industry. He explores how governments influence economic outcomes through industrial policies, highlighting specific sectors like tech and manufacturing. The discussion ranges from Argentina’s struggles with local manufacturing to China's strategic dominance in solar energy. Uguet emphasizes the fine balance between free market efficiency and necessary government intervention, prompting listeners to consider when state involvement becomes crucial.
Jul 30, 2025 • 36min
Govt 4: Our National Rulemaker (Regulations)
Joanne-Ricard Uguet, an associate professor of political science, joins former Planet Money co-hosts Jacob Goldstein and David Kestenbaum to unravel the complex role of government in business regulation. They explore how regulations can help or hinder innovation, particularly in the bizarre case of meat patents and the absurd licensing requirements for hair braiding. The discussion raises thought-provoking questions about consumer protection versus favoring powerful interests, and highlights the challenges faced by entrepreneurs navigating these tricky waters.
Jul 23, 2025 • 37min
Govt 3: You are what you pay for (Budgets)
Aviva Arundine, Director of the Hamilton Project at Brookings, shares her insights from years at the Treasury and Office of Management and Budget. She dives into how government prioritizes spending amidst budget constraints and national debt. Topics include the complexity of balancing necessary expenditures like Medicare with fiscal responsibility, the impact of lobbying on budget decisions, and how financial decisions affect social programs. The discussion sheds light on the dynamic tension between local demands and national fiscal policies.
Jul 18, 2025 • 2min
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Jul 16, 2025 • 37min
Govt 2: How taxes change behavior and the economy (Taxes)
Join Darrick Hamilton, Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy, as he discusses the powerful role of taxes in shaping behavior and economic structures. He explores how tax policies can lift people out of poverty and encourage sustainable practices. Hamilton highlights the transformative effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit on low-income individuals, contrasting it with traditional welfare. Dive into the concept of Pigouvian taxes and their potential to address issues like pollution, making economics relatable and engaging!
7 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 36min
Govt 1: Why Are Some Countries Rich and Some Countries Poor? (Institutions)
In this discussion, Simon Johnson, a professor at MIT Sloan specializing in political economy, unravels why some nations thrive while others struggle. He dives into the intricate relationship between government institutions and economic success, illustrating this with compelling stories from India, New York City, and Peru. Johnson emphasizes how regulations can either uplift or hinder economies, showcasing the stark contrasts between informal vendors in Jamaica and formal sellers in the U.S. His insights reveal the transformative power of inclusive institutions over extractive ones.
Aug 28, 2024 • 33min
History 8: Big ideas and life lessons from Marx, Keynes and Smith and more
Join economic titans Adam Smith, a founder of capitalism; Karl Marx, the critiquer of capitalist society; and John Maynard Keynes, pioneer of macroeconomic thought, as they delve into vital lessons from economics. They discuss the dual narratives of human progress and environmental crisis over the last fifty years. From food security advancements to the fight for social justice, each guest brings valuable insights on wealth disparity and innovative economic theories, making it a journey through history and philosophy.
